Companies often employ the discipline of project management in order to meet the goals of a company project. Individuals in project management often organize, plan and manage resources in companies to accomplish a task. A project manager allows individuals to meet the objectives of a project over a specified period of time. Each project manager sets deadlines for deliverables and makes certain that each deliverable is completed by its deadline.
Project management also may include utilizing software to develop a carefully outlined project plan. The project plan may include a budget, tasks, and delegation of responsibilities to team members. Each team member is challenged to complete their deliverables by the specified time the project manager designates. Each project consists of the following stages that must be defined by the project manager and completed by the team:
•%09Feasibility
•%09Definition
•%09Project Planning
•%09Implementation
•%09Support
•%09Maintenance
For example, an individual may have the task to complete the design of a new fourth generation design of Smart Phone. One team may be tasked with the software and interface deliverables. Another team may be given the task of completing the design of the actual silicon chip and the motherboard. Yet another team will be given the design of the hardware enclosure and the usability of the phone. Each of these teams may be broken into sub teams depending upon the scope of the project. Each person is assigned according to his or her level of expertise. The Project Manager is challenged in recognizing the talents of each team member to determine how to best delegate the tasks and deliver the Smart Phone in the time allotted in the time line. Along the way, the Project Manager will hold meetings to determine if each member completes key milestones as designated on the timeline. Milestones will ensure that the product is delivered by the given date.
Milestones also assist the Project Manager in determining if the initial timeline that was established was reasonable. If too many resources were assigned or too little, Project Managers can make adjustments accordingly. Project management software tracks the milestones and reminds project managers and team members when certain deadlines are due.